Mark 8:27-38

Notes

Jesus and the disciples are on the move.

The pivot point of Mark’s gospel.

There may be comparisons with a church in transition: they are a church on the move.

And we as individuals may be in transition.

We have certain commitments, understandings, assumptions that rule our passions, decisions, and actions. Jesus may call them into questions; ask us to reconsider.

the story is parallel to the healing of the blind man: implies that Jesus is healing the “blindness” of the disciples

Mark for Everyone Peter’s Declaration of Jesus’ Messiahship (Mark 8:22–30)

If his kingdom-mission is becoming more explicitly a Messiah-mission, this really is dangerous. He must do what he has to do swiftly and secretly.

Mark for Everyone Peter’s Declaration of Jesus’ Messiahship (Mark 8:22–30)

both stories tell of a two-stage process of illumination

It’s about the politically dangerous and theologically risky claim that Jesus is the true King of Israel, the final heir to the throne of David, the one before whom Herod Antipas and all other would-be Jewish princelings are just shabby little impostors. The disciples weren’t expecting a divine redeemer; they were longing for a king. And they thought they’d found one

Tom Wright, Mark for Everyone (London: Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 2004), 107.